Last reviewed 2026-04-20 · How we verify

Datscan (IOFLUPANE I 123)

Datscan (generic name: IOFLUPANE I 123) is a Radioactive Diagnostic Agent [EPC] Small molecule drug developed by Ge Hlthcare Inc. It is currently FDA-approved (first approved 2011) for Striatal dopamine transporter visualization using single photon emission computed tomography.

Datscan binds to dopamine transporters in the brain, allowing for imaging of dopamine activity.

Datscan (IOFLUPANE I 123) is a radioactive diagnostic agent developed by GE Healthcare Inc. It targets the sodium-dependent dopamine transporter in the brain, allowing for visualization of striatal dopamine transporters using single photon emission computed tomography. FDA-approved in 2011, Datscan is used for striatal dopamine transporter visualization. The commercial status of Datscan is patented, and its key safety considerations include radiation exposure. Datscan works by binding to dopamine transporters in the brain, allowing for imaging of dopamine activity.

At a glance

Mechanism of action

The active drug substance in DaTscan is N--fluoropropyl-2-carbomethoxy-3-(4-[123I]iodophenyl)nortropane or ioflupane 123.In vitro, ioflupane binds reversibly to the human recombinant dopamine transporter (DaT) (Ki 0.62 nM; IC50 0.71 nM). Autoradiography of post-mortem human brain slices exposed to radiolabeled ioflupane shows concentration of the radiolabel in striatum (caudate nucleus and putamen). The specificity of the binding of ioflupane 125 to dopamine transporter was demonstrated by competition studies with the DaT inhibitor GBR 12909 (a dopamine reuptake inhibitor), the serotonin reuptake inhibitor citalopram, and the norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor desipramine in post-mortem human brain slices exposed to radiolabeled ioflupane. Citalopram reduced binding in the neocortex and thalamus with only minor effects in the striatum. This indicated that the binding in the cortex and thalamus is mainly to the serotonin reuptake sites. Desipramine showed no effe

Approved indications

• Striatal dopamine transporter visualization using single photon emission computed tomography

Common side effects

• Hypersensitivity reactions
• Injection site pain
• Rash
• Pruritis
• Headache
• Nausea
• Vertigo
• Dry mouth
• Dizziness

Drug interactions

• amoxapine

Key clinical trials

• DaTSCAN Imaging in Aging and Neurodegenerative Disease (PHASE4)
• Terazosin Effect on Cardiac Changes in Early Parkinson's Disease (PHASE2)
• Terazosin and Parkinson's Disease Extension Study (PHASE2)
• Cardiac Changes in Early Parkinson's Disease: A Follow up Study (PHASE2)
• Markers of Disease Progression and Gait Within the Parkinsonian Population (NA)
• [18F] LBT-999 PET Compared to [123I]-FP/CIT SPECT to Distinguish Between Parkinson's Diseases and Essential Tremor (PHASE3)
• Molecular and Functional Imaging in Monogenic PD.
• Distinguishing Between Alzheimer's Disease, Lewy Body Dementia, and Parkinson's Disease

Primary sources

Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.

Competitive intelligence

For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:

• Datscan CI brief — competitive landscape report
• Datscan updates RSS · CI watch RSS
• Ge Hlthcare Inc portfolio CI

Frequently asked questions about Datscan

Related

• Drug class: All Radioactive Diagnostic Agent [EPC] drugs
• Target: All drugs targeting Sodium-dependent dopamine transporter
• Manufacturer: Ge Hlthcare Inc — full pipeline
• Therapeutic area: All drugs in Neuroscience
• Indication: Drugs for Striatal dopamine transporter visualization using single photon emission computed tomography

Primary sources · FDA · ClinicalTrials.gov · EMA · SEC EDGAR · ChEMBL · Wikidata · full sourcing